A Little History of Play Therapy
21/12/2020 06:27 PM
Play therapy has a long and proud tradition stemming from Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the father of modern psychotherapy. He was the first to apply analytic concepts to the treatment of a five year old child. A student of Freud, Helga Hellmuth (1871-1924) is known to be the first child therapist. She had a clinic in Vienna where she applied psychoanalytic techniques to children. Hellmuth strongly influenced Melanie Klein (1882-1960). Klein further developed the work by basing her interventions and interpretations on the way the child played with toys. Klein’s non-directive approach is the foundation of Child-centered Play Therapy.
Meanwhile, Anna Freud (1895-1982), youngest daughter of Sigmund, made profound contributions to our overall understanding of children, the stages of development, and defense mechanisms. Freud utilized a more directive approach to form a therapeutic relationship with children. This approach came to be known as Ego Psychology.
Since the work of Melanie Klein and Anna Freud, many other approaches to play therapy have emerged. Here are just a few:
Adlerian Play Therapy*
Child-centered Play Therapy*
Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy*
Ecosystemic Play Therapy
Jungian Play Therapy
Gestalt Play Therapy
Prescriptive Play Therapy*
Filial Play Therapy*
Trauma-informed Play Therapy*
Expressive therapies, i.e., sandtray, drama, puppets, creative*
Ericksonian Play Therapy
DIR Floortime*
*Heather is formally trained in these theories
The Association for Play Therapy (APT) was established in 1982. APT is a national professional society dedicated to the advancement of play therapy in order that clients in need may receive the best possible mental health services. It’s members have unique and distinctive dedication to and preparation in the theories and techniques of play therapy. A Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential ensures a minimum of 2000 hours of supervised practice hours of therapy, 500 direct contact hours of play therapy supervision, 150 clock hours of instruction in play therapy, and maintain 36 hours of professional training every three years, 18 specific to child therapy.
